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Linear motion bearings facilitate smooth movement of an object in a linear direction using small steel balls or roller bearings. They are used in machines and industrial applications, as well as in sliding tables and filing cabinets to reduce friction and improve function.
A linear motion bearing is a device used to allow movement of an object in a linear direction. The bearings within the system are usually small steel balls, although there are other types of bearings to accomplish this task. The function of a linear motion bearing is to allow for smooth movement of an object in a linear fashion, unlike most bearings which facilitate movement in a circular orientation or circular motion. The two main components of the system are the table and the rolling element; these components work together to facilitate smooth movement, most often in machines or industrial applications.
The rolling element consists of ball bearings contained within a sleeve or oriented along a track. A linear motion bearing may contain ball bearings or roller bearings, which are flat cylinders. Bearings facilitate smooth, low-friction motion and are usually lubricated in some way to further reduce friction and encourage longer life of the linear motion bearing system. In some cases, these bearings are completely contained within the system to protect them from dirt, grime and even impact damage, although in other cases the bearings may be exposed along a raceway. The system usually involves the use of a fixed table and a sliding table that slide against each other with intermediate bearings.
An example of a system that uses a linear motion bearing would be a sliding table, commonly used in manufacturing. The table itself can expand or contract as the individual pieces slide, thanks to the linear motion bearing. Table-mounted jigs can also be movable along a track using a linear motion bearing, allowing the user to set stops or guides in different configurations. This is useful when cutting angles or straight lines with a saw that needs to be guided to keep the cut straight.
A much simpler example of linear motion bearings is the bearing set used in many filing cabinets. Support planes are mounted on each side of the cabinet drawer and another plane is attached to the inside of the cabinet casing. When the drawer is pulled out, ball bearings or roller bearings move within the decks to facilitate smooth movement of the drawer. This reduced friction is important for the drawer to function properly, especially when it is loaded with a significant amount of weight. Older styles of filing cabinets did not feature such systems and the drawers tended to jam frequently when loaded with weight.
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